By Aaron Hammond 
Ghana is facing a possible US$50 million judgment at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice. The case involves Singaporean businessman Toh You Kang, who accuses Ghanaian state institutions of violating his human rights.
He is seeking compensation for alleged unlawful arrest, detention and restrictions on his movement. He also claims that authorities failed to protect his rights.
However, the Court has not awarded him the money. The case is still ongoing, and Ghana’s alleged failure to file a defence is at the centre of his latest application.
How a Business Dispute Led to the Lawsuit
According to court documents, You Kang travelled to Ghana in May 2025 to resolve a business dispute involving Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
You Kang claims he invested money in business deals linked to proposed electrical cable supply contracts for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). He says he transferred US$100,000 and later provided another US$700,000.
He also claims he supplied campaign materials worth about US$1.5 million for the 2024 general elections. However, these claims remain part of the allegations presented in the case.
The businessman alleges that his attempt to settle the dispute took a troubling turn. He claims that armed men demanded US$3 million from him at a private residence. He further alleges that he was assaulted before being handed over to the Ghana Police Service.
The police later arrested and prosecuted him on a charge of defrauding by false pretences.
High Court Quashes Criminal Proceedings
You Kang challenged the criminal case, arguing that the alleged transactions took place outside Ghana. He also questioned whether the Dansoman Circuit Court had the power to hear the matter.
On September 4, 2025, the High Court granted his application for certiorari. As a result, it quashed the Circuit Court proceedings and stopped that court from continuing with the case.
However, this ruling does not automatically prove every allegation in his separate human rights lawsuit.
You Kang also accuses some police officers of failing to act properly on his complaints about alleged assault, threats and missing personal belongings. In addition, he claims there were irregularities involving his passport and immigration procedures at Kotoka International Airport.
He argues that these events violated his fundamental rights. He eventually left Ghana for Singapore on September 12, 2025.
In December 2025, You Kang, through his lawyer Cephas Boyuo, asked the ECOWAS Court to enter judgment by default against Ghana.
According to his application, the relevant government legal officers received the court documents electronically on November 13, 2025. However, he claims Ghana failed to file a defence within the required period.
His lawyer relies on Articles 35 and 90(1) of the Court’s Rules of Procedure. These provisions address the filing of a defence and the possibility of default judgment when a respondent fails to respond after proper service.
Even so, the application is not a final judgment. The Court must consider the request before deciding what action to take.
You Kang wants the Court to declare that Ghana violated his human rights. He is also seeking compensation equivalent to US$50 million in Ghana cedis, together with legal costs.
ECOWAS Court Hearing Date Still Awaited
The application was still awaiting further action, according to correspondence between the lawyer and the Court Registry.
On April 13, 2026, Boyuo asked the Registry to speed up the process of fixing a hearing date. He referred to an earlier letter dated March 6, 2026, which indicated that arrangements were being made to issue a hearing notice.
The Chief Registrar, Yaouza Ouro-Sama, replied on April 14, 2026. He explained that the matter was awaiting directions from the judges. He also assured the lawyer that the Registry was monitoring the process.
For now, the US$50 million remains the amount You Kang is seeking. It is not money that a court has ordered Ghana to pay.
The case raises serious questions about human rights, police conduct and the protection of foreign nationals in Ghana. However, the final outcome will depend on the Court’s decision and the evidence before it.
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